Texans reach deal with ex-Jaguars DT Folorunso Fatukasi, source says

Defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi is staying in the AFC South after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars last week.

Fatukasi has agreed to a one-year contract with the Texans, a source confirmed to ESPN. The news was first reported by The Athletic.

The former 2018 sixth-round pick is known for being a run stuffer and is expected to fill that depth role on the Texans' defense. He is familiar with coach DeMeco Ryans' defensive system because he played under New York Jets coach Robert Saleh. Both Ryans and Saleh were San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinators before taking their current jobs.

Last season, Fatukasi had 24 tackles, including three for loss, in 16 starts.

Fatukasi, 29, signed with the Jaguars on a three-year, $30 million contract with $20 million guaranteed in 2022, but the run-stuffing tackle did not equal his production from the previous two seasons he had with the New York Jets in 2020 and '21, when he combined for 88 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits.

In his two years with the Jaguars, Fatukasi had 48 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5 tackles for loss and 5 quarterback hits.

ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime and Michael DiRocco contributed to this report.